Police have detained an Assistant Superintendent of Police – ASP Hannington Asiimwe, the Kakiri operations commander, on accusations of selling opium exhibits.
ASP Asiimwe, who is currently detained at Railway police station in Kampala allegedly conducted an operation on Christmas eve in areas of Masulita where 12 sacks of narcotic (opium) were intercepted.
The exhibits were recorded on SD ref 02/24/12/2022. But ASP Asiimwe did not hand over the exhibits on the station Officer In charge of Criminal Investigations. He allegedly kept the exhibits in his office.
However, on Monday this week, the Kakiri Division Police Commander – DPC SP Hassan Mugerwa, received information that ASP Asiimwe had hatched a plan to sell the exhibits.
Police sources have confined in Daily Press that SP Mugerwa warned ASP Asiimwe not to be attempted to sell the exhibits. SP Mugerwa also directed ASP Asiimwe to hand over the exhibits to OC CID but he refused.
“On Tuesday at around 07:30 pm, information was received that a motor vehicle taxi was brought to the station and loaded with six sacks of opium exhibits. The taxi was driven to kampala direction,” police source said.
SP Mugerwa also established that indeed six sacks of opium exhibits were missing. The DPC took action of irregular conduct against ASP Asiimwe in regard to sold exhibits of opium and a case file was open against the accused on SD REF 66/03/01/2023.
“According to the CCTV footage, the motor vehicle taxi had a concealed number plate. It was seen seen entering the quarter guard to the station and left at around 23:01,” sources said.
Police have further established that one infamous opium dealers Mulema aka Rasta, a resident of Kisenyi cell, Kakiri town council and one Kalule Medie were in the deal and they normally deal.
“We have established Mulema and Kalule normally deal with ASP Asiimwe in the operation,” sources said.
Patrick Onyango, the Kampala metropolitan police spokesperson, confirmed ASP Asiimwe’s arrest.
“This is an isolated incident. Its not our style to steal exhibits. We always make sure that exhibits are protected. All police officers must know exhibits should never be tampered with,” SSP Onyango said.